Indian actress Alia Bhatt has been making waves in the Hindi film industry as well as international waters for some time now. After starring in the latest episode of Koffee With Karan with Kareena Kapoor Khan, Bhatt has become the talk of the town for many thanks to her superstardom, her relationship with actor Ranbir Kapoor and the balance that she has created in her life both on and off the screen. The 29-year-old actor has won several Best Actress Awards at the IIFA Awards (Filmfare Awards), and has appeared in Forbes Asia’s 100 Digital Stars list. The daughter of Mahesh Bhatt and actress Soni Razdan, this feisty actress is a true-blue Box Office success story that the audience can’t get enough of. One of the highest-paid actresses of the generation, the critical acclaim and the audience feedback of almost all of Bhatt’s films are nothing short of incredible.
Best Alia Bhatt Movies List
Sangharsh (1999)
This is technically Alia Bhatt’s first movie (as a child actor), wherein she plays the younger version of CBI Officer Reet Oberoi in the movie Sangharsh. The movie was a fun and entertaining ride, and Bhatt was a sweet addition to an otherwise very serious movie! The film stars Akshay Kumar, Preity Zinta and Ashutosh Rana and was rumoured to be based on The Silence of the Lambs and was critically acclaimed at the time of release.
Student of the Year (2012)
Bhatt’s career skyrocketed with her Bollywood debut in SOTY, and this was the first time we saw her as a full-fledged actress on screen. Appearing alongside Sidharth Malhotra and Varun Dhawan, who also starred in their first film with Dharma Movies with this one, Karan Johar’s Student of the Year was a catchy, fun and entertaining drama film that had something or the other happening throughout! All three actresses received great praise for their performances, and the music will still leave you dancing, even after 11 years and has proved to be a turning point in the lives of the actors!
Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014)
Bhatt plays Kavya Pratap Singh alongside Varun Dhawan and Ashutosh Rana in this classic rom-com film. The sweet chemistry between Dhawan and Bhatt and the fun, light-hearted nature of the movie made an impression on audiences and critics alike.
2 States (2014)
This romantic-comedy-drama film stars Alia as Ananya Swaminathan alongside Arjun Kapoor’s Krish Malhotra, wherein the two try to convince their parents to get along after they get into a relationship in college and eventually decide to marry. This light-hearted film is a delightful watch, with amazing performances from the cast and crew.
Highway (2014)
Imtiaz Ali’s road drama film is a film that might not agree with many, but it’s still a film that makes its mark with its simple yet complicated narrative and themes and excellent performances from Bhatt and Randeep Hooda. It makes you want to get lost somewhere in the Himalayas without a care in the world.
Dear Zindagi (2016)
Writer-director Gauri Shinde gave us a relatable, emotional and breezy watch with this film, where Bhatt plays budding cinematographer Kaira, who finds solace and a guiding light with free-spirited psychologist Dr. Jehangir “Jug” Khan (played by Shah Rukh Khan). The film is an exploration of mental health and feels like a warm hug. Bhatt and Khan’s chemistry and dynamic and the small issues that their counselling sessions showcase will be relatable to many, if not all, in the audience. The film also stars Kunal Kapoor, Ira Dubey, Angad Bedi, Ali Zafar, Yashaswini Dayama and Rohit Saraf.
Udta Punjab (2016)
This crime-drama film loosely focuses on the drug problems in Punjab among the youth and the various conspiracies surrounding it. The movie came under fire after the CBFC refused to release the movie in theatres, which was later struck down by the Bombay High Court. Upon release, the film and its performances received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. Bhatt won the Best Actress Award for her role at the Screen Awards, Filmfare Awards, and the Zee Cine Awards for her role of Bauria, a woman from Bihar who ends up in the drugs game in Punjab, in the film. The film also stars Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Diljit Dosanjh.
Kapoor & Sons (2016)
Shakun Batra’s dysfunctional family drama film is a relatable ordeal for many and focuses on different dynamics in a family and their changing relationships. Along with Bhatt, the film also starred Fawad Khan, Sidharth Malhotra, Rishi Kapoor, Ratna Pathak Shah and Rajat Kapoor, who all delivered fantastically emotional performances, leaving the audience heavy-hearted.
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016)
Bhatt appears in a special appearance in now-husband Ranbir Kapoor’s movie, which also stars Anushka Sharma and Fawad Khan. In this film, she appears during the song “Breakup Song” as the DJ and steals the show with her small role.
Badrinath ki Dulhania (2017)
A sequel to the 2014 movie, Varun Dhawan and Bhatt collaborate again, thanks to their amazing chemistry in another light-hearted movie. The myriad social issues that the film tries to represent are brought forth cautiously, and the movie balances itself well, becoming neither a PSA nor an insult to the themes that it chooses to show.
Raazi (2018)
Director Meghna Gulzar’s spy thriller is an emotional and heartbreaking watch, more so because it is based on a true story. Starring Vicky Kaushal, Shishir Sharma and Jaideep Ahlawat alongside Bhatt, who deliver emotionally charged performances in this tale of duty towards one’s country.
Gully Boy (2019)
One of the most well-loved films in Hindi cinema, this Zoya Akhtar movie focuses on the lives of street rappers in Dharavi, Mumbai, especially Murad Ahmed (played by Ranveer Singh). Singh and Bhatt received critical acclaim with an outpouring of positive reviews for their amazing chemistry and performances that touched people’s hearts and made the movie a success. The movie also stars Kalki Koechlin and Siddhant Chaturvedi.
Kalank (2019)
Director Abhishek Varman’s period romance was marred by critics’ and audiences’ dissatisfaction with the plot and its excessive runtime, but the movie’s performances, set designs, and cinematography will leave you spellbound. It stars Madhuri Dixit, Sonakshi Sinha, Varun Dhawan, Aditya Roy Kapur and Sanjay Dutt.
Sadak 2 (2020)
Mahesh Bhatt’s sequel to the 1991 film Sadak isn’t a great idea of a movie by any means, thanks to its cliched script. It’s one of the rare bombs in Bhatt’s career and stars Sanjay Dutt, Aditya Roy Kapur and Jisshu Sengupta.
Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022)
In a biographical crime drama film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Bhatt plays the lead role of Gangubai Kathiawadi, a mafia don whose life, in spite of dealing with many hardships, never stopped achieving more. Bhatt plays her role with conviction, such that even though you will sympathise with her in every frame and hope for her to succeed, you will never pity her. The movie is a thorough entertainer with fantastic performances from Bhat and Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz, Indira Tiwari, Seema Pahwa and Jim Sarbh.
Darlings (2022)
This Netflix movie deals with important social issues with the help of dark comedy. The film, focusing on domestic violence, stars Shefali Shah and Vijay Varma and is both hilarious and incredibly disturbing and both Bhatt and Shah deliver outstanding performances throughout its runtime.
Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (2022)
Ayan Mukerji’s fantasy action adventure was the talk of the town for years on end, and its release did not disappoint. Although people were critical of Bhatt’s limited role in the movie as the lead actress, the film itself was amazing to witness, especially thanks to the special effects. The movie also stars Ranbir Kapoor, Mouni Roy, Amitabh Bachchan and Nagarjuna Akkineni.
RRR (2022)
Snagging many accolades all over the world, SS Rajamouli’s RRR, based on freedom fighters Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem, is truly a phenomenon. Ram Charan and Jr NTR’s chemistry and acting were phenomenal, and Bhatt’s role as Sita, although small, will mesmerize you regardless.
Heart of Stone (2023)
Bhatt made a splash on international screens via Netflix in this spy action-thriller film opposite Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan. Although the movie did not receive many positive reviews, it was refreshing to see Bhatt perform with Hollywood big names and hold her own place among them.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023)
Another rom-com that exceeded people’s expectations, Bhatt stars opposite Ranveer Singh in this film that delivers a cliched problem with a fresh perspective. It’s entertaining and funny and tackles the issues that it brings forth with charm and grace, along with exceptional performances from everyone in the cast, including Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi.
Upcoming movies: audiences cannot wait for Jee Le Zaraa, which the actress was supposed to do with Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Katrina Kaif, but the film is on halt at the moment. For now, 2024 will see her in Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions’ Jigra.